Could Blueberries Lower Your Cholesterol?

Planning your grocery list for your next trip to the farmer’s market or grocery store? Make sure blueberries are at the top of that list. We previously reported on how blueberries might lower your risk for heart disease by decreasing oxidative stress and lowering blood pressure. A new study found that hamsters fed a high fat diet supplemented with the skins of blueberries had lower cholesterol and more bile acid synthesis (which helps in the excretion of cholesterol) than those fed the high fat diet alone.The high level of antioxidants in blueberries is likely what makes them so effective in improving health and puts them in the “superfood” category. If you’re not as interested in the heart-healthy effects of blueberries, that’s no reason to shun this yummy fruit. The high antioxidant content also possibly makes it helpful in the prevention of cancer.

How to enjoy blueberries:

Wash and eat. Simple, but delicious.

Add to plain low-fat or non-fat yogurt. If you go for the Greek yogurt, you’ll get two to three times the protein.

Mix them into any salad for added texture and taste.

Blend them with other fruits, ice, plus water, milk, or yogurt for a delicious smoothie.

Try half a cup mixed in with your morning oatmeal for a super heart-healthy breakfast.

There’s nothing to feel “blue” about when you’ve got this delicious berry as part of your diet!